Police target park 'miscreants'

Newcastle police have agreed to step up patrols at a Wallsend park in response to concerns about drunken anti-social behaviour at night.

Residents say gangs of young people are congregating in Federal Park to drink alcohol before roaming the streets and damaging property, including the local swimming centre.

Local MP Sonia Hornery says she raised the issue at a meeting with police yesterday.

"Police are taking this matter really seriously," she said.

"They're undertaking more patrols of the area late at night and are going to approach the local area commander Max Mitchell about undertaking covert surveillance of the area in the future so we can really stop these miscreants damaging our pool and park."